Friday, January 23, 2015

Schaghticoke Bridge Demolished Friday Over Hoosic River

The state Department of Transportation demolished the old Route 40 bridge over the Hoosic River in Schaghticoke Friday, with dozens of local spectators. The new bridge, adjacent to the old one, was opened in November. Debris from the demolished structure is expected to be cleaned up before the spring thaw, officials said.

Residents had been told to stay indoors from 10 a.m. to around 11 a.m. Friday.While the road was blocked for 1,000 feet on either side of the structure, residents went to nearby Lewis' Tavern and the American Legion to get a view of the event.

Schaghticoke resident Darcy Connolly said the demolition, when it did happen, scared the *expletive* out of her since she and her friends at the American Legion did not hear a warning that the bridge was coming down. She described it as loud.

"We thought there would be sirens to let us know when it was going to be and then there was a big blast, it scared us," she said. "It was loud. Really, really loud."Following the blast, one of the rear windows of the American Legion was broken, officials said it was likely from the air blast.

Engineers at the scene said that a siren was sounded to warn people of the blast.